Wednesday, February 01, 2012

NESTING KITTIWAKES

This painting started on a visit to the Farne Islands off
the Northumbrian coast. It’s a well managed nature reserve and the cliffs are a
haven for several species of sea birds. The boatman who ferried us over steered
slowly under the cliffs to give good views of the birds.

This painting in – acrylic on canvas – was composed from a
preliminary mixed media study which is on the Wildlife Page on my website. The
cliff skyline was populated by gulls, Cormorants, and Puffins. Such a choice
but I’ve just included a single Puffin who looks as if he’s curious about
what’s going on.

About Me

M.Sc. (Math Ed), Open University (BA) , I learned to paint at Walsall and Stafford Schools of Art.
My current painterly interest is wildlife. I work from plein air drawings and my own photographs.
I try to give equal weight to the animal’s environment as well as it’s behaviour.
I studied for three years at the Walsall and Stafford Schools of Art at a time when art students spent at least two days and one evening in the life class.
The rigorous discipline of close observation and drawing developed in the life class was one of the benefits which has lasted.
My creative output mirrors the things I care about, draws on my experiences, and generally tries to interpret what the eye likes.
For me art also embraces a tradition of sound craftsmanship–I'm driven by a desire to make well crafted artefacts that will give lasting pleasure.
I later took an interest in mathematics and was awarded a Masters Degree by Loughborough University